'Tell me the dates you need': Riteish Deshmukh recalls how Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan said yes to his historical epic Raja Shivaji

Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji out May 2026, features a massive star cast like Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. Built on friendships rather than deals, the bilingual epic aims for national scale.

Riteish Deshmukh in Raja Shivaji

The highly awaited historical epic Raja Shivaji is set to be released on May 1, 2026. Riteish Deshmukh, the film's director and lead actor has now shared the narrative of how he brought together one of the most A-list casts in Marathi bilingual cinematic history. The actor-filmmaker recently spoke with Variety India about how they brought in Bollywood heavyweights, saying that they did it through personal connections rather than the usual professional dealings.

Why did Raja Shivaji evolve into a bilingual production?

While in pre-production, the project's scope grew much beyond its original conception as a biopic on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi. Deshmukh said that the goal of reaching a national audience with the Maratha ruler's heritage was the driving force behind the decision to switch to a Hindi-Marathi format. The subject matter's historical significance necessitated a visual and casting scale commensurate with this transformation.

"All of them joined because of the relationships built over the years. When we started casting, we thought, ‘How do we do this? Can we dream of making a Marathi film bigger?’ Then it became: if you’re dreaming, can you make this a Hindi-Marathi film and reach a wider audience? To scale it up, I made calls to friends who said, ‘I would like to be part of it in any capacity — one scene, half a scene, one shot, whatever.’ I was overwhelmed. I realised this is a big thing, and I need to use it correctly to enhance the visual experience for the audience," Deshmukh said, while stressing the precarious nature of the casting process.

ALSO READ: Raja Shivaji first look out: Riteish Deshmukh reflects the spirit of brave Maratha warrior

Which Bollywood heavyweights are supporting Raja Shivaji?

Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Vidya Balan are among the notable stars that provide support to Deshmukh in the film's supporting cast. In addition to adding "star power" and a sense of historical "stature" to certain scenes, the filmmaker claims that these appearances serve a strategic purpose.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an important historical figure, but when you have an established actor playing a role, it lends even more credibility to that sequence. For example, the first thing Abhishek Bachchan said was, ‘Tell me the dates you need.’ When I went to give Salman Khan a brief, he said with graciousness, ‘We are doing a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; I want to be part of it.’ Him wanting to be part of the film adds such huge value. They were all so kind, going out of their way. Being part of this film might not make a big difference in their lives, but it makes a big difference to the film. It was the same with Vidya Balan. She just said, ‘Done'," Deshmukh recalled, explaining how easily his colleagues decided to star in the project.

Was it difficult to secure Sanjay Dutt for Raja Shivaji?

Dutt was more difficult to contact due to his busy filming schedule. Despite the competitive nature of the industry, Deshmukh emphasised that personal rapport remained the decisive factor.

Deshmukh revealed, "Sanju Sir (Sanjay Dutt) was very busy. I told him, ‘If you do it, it will add so much credibility and stature to the film because it’s a larger-than-life movie.’ He said he was too busy, but I asked him to just see if he could. Then he said, ‘I’ll do it.’ He gave me two-three days, managed his schedule, and we filled it up. Now, when I see the star cast, it feels overwhelming. Our industry can be so transactional in many ways, but this was just out of pure love."

Who composed music for Raja Shivaji?

The music for Raja Shivaji was composed by Ajay-Atul, and the film is produced by Genelia Deshmukh and Jyoti Deshpande. The film is expected to be a strong competitor at the box office when it opens in May, thanks to its stellar cast of Bollywood actors and its historical setting in Maharashtra. Deshmukh sees a change from the "transactional" approach of big-budget filming in the collaborative spirit of his colleagues.

Raja Shivaji FAQs:

Q: Who is playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the movie Raja Shivaji?

A: Riteish Deshmukh is playing the titular role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In addition to starring in the lead role, Deshmukh is also the director of this historical epic.

Q: Is Raja Shivaji a Hindi or Marathi movie?

A: Raja Shivaji is a bilingual film produced simultaneously in both Marathi and Hindi. The decision to make it bilingual was driven by the director's vision to bring the Maratha ruler's legacy to a wider national and global audience.

Q: What is the release date for Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji?

A: The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on May 1, 2026. This date is significant as it coincides with Maharashtra Day.

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